Computer systems restored at coastal GP practice after cyber attack - but there's a backlog

Chaotic scenes sparked by a cyber attack which affected all NHS organisations across Lincolnshire appeared to have eased during the last 24 hours.
Marisco Medical Practice.Marisco Medical Practice.
Marisco Medical Practice.

There were reports over the weekend and on Monday that the hospitals and GP surgeries had effectively been plunged into crisis by the ‘ransomware’ cyber attack.

On Monday morning. the Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) urged people not to visit A&E unless it was a ‘life threatening emergency’ and not to attend their GP practice - again unless it was an emergency.

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Instead, the CCG said that anyone who ‘felt unwell’ should contact NHS 111.

However, the position appeared to differ hugely across Lincolnshire.

The Marsico Medical Practice which has sites in both Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea confirmed that there was no evidence to show that ‘any patient data had been accessed’.

The practice put out a statement on Monday confirming they were able to see patients again, but warned the service was very limited.

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They added patients with booked appointments for health care assistants, practice nurses and nurse practitioners were able to attend as normal.

However, patients attending smear clinics were told the service was unavailable.

The practice also added that the pathology labs were only taking urgent blood samples.

The practice thanked everyone for their patience.

The CCG also stressed that no patient data had been accessed.

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At the time of going to press (Tuesday), The Marisco Medical Practice put out another statement which said: “Marisco Medical Practice are pleased to announce that the systems are restored.

“Some of our services are still impaired.

“However, we are confident that this will not affect patient care.

“We would like to thank you all for your patience and ask that this may continue until we have caught up with the inevitable backlog.”

United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), which runs Boston’s Pilgrim and Lincoln County Hospitals cancelled all routine activity at its hospitals on Monday, but by yesterday (Tuesday) the situation had much improved.

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Chief operating officer at ULHT Mark Brassington said the recovery system was ‘very slow’ as the computers caught up on data.

“We are asking patients to bear with us,” he added.

He said patients had been ‘extremely understanding’ during the entire incident.

He said staff ‘have been absolutely fantastic’ with many offering to give up time off to take on additional shifts.

He added: “This has meant no safety issues or lives risked due to the cyber attack.”